ESSENTIAL NEWBORN CARE

INTRODUCTION:
Essential care of the normal healthy neonates can be best provided by the mothers under
supervision of nursing personnel or basic/ primary health care providers. About 80% of the
newborn babies should be kept with their mothers rather than in a separate nursery.

HEALTHY NEWBORN
A healthy infant born at term b/w 38-42wks should have average birth wt, criesimmediately
following birth, establishesindependent rhythmic respiration & quicklyadapts to the changed
environment.

IMMEDIATE BASIC CARE

 Maintenance of temperature
 Establishment of open airway & circulation
 Identification of newborn
 Vitamin K injection
 Initiation of breastfeeding.

 Maintenance of temperature:
Immediately dry the infant under a radiant warmer Skin to skin contact with the mother. Keep
neonates head covered. Rooming in (The baby should not be separated from the mother)

 Establishment of open airway:

(Majority of babies cry at birth & take spontaneous Respiration) When the head is delivered
birth attendant immediately suction the secretions, wipe mucus from face and mouth and nose.
Suction the mouth and nose by using bulb syringeKeep head slightly lower than the
bodyPosition the Baby on their backs or tilted to the side, but not on their stomachs.
Importance of suctioning:
Several natural mechanisms help with this: As the fetal chest passes through the birth canal it is
compressed, squeezing excess fluid out of the lungs prior to the baby taking its first breath.After
several seconds in this "partly delivered" position, fluid can be seen streaming out of the babys
nose and mouth.
After birth, babies will be cough and sneeze, mobilizing additional fluid that may be in their
lungs.

 APGAR SCORING CRITERIA

0 1 2Respiration Absent Slow, irregular Good, cryingHeart rate Absent Slow (Below 100) More
than 100Muscle tone Flaccid Some flexion of Active body extremities movementsReflex response
No response Grimace CrySkin color Blue, pale Body pink, Completely pink extremities blue
TOTAL SCORE = 10 No depression: 7-10Mild depression: 4-6Severe depression: 0-3

 Newborn Identification: Newborn Identification Before a baby leaves the delivery area,
identification bracelets with identical numbers are placed on the baby and mother. Babies
 often have two, on the wrist and ankle.

 Vitamin K: Vitamin K Prevent neonatal hemorrhage during first few days of life before
infant is able to produce Vitamin K administration: Term infants (1mg) - IMPreterm
infants (0.5mg) – IM
• Alternative Route: Oral Dose: 2mg orally at birth; Repeat dose (2mg) at 3-5 days and at 4- 6
weeks of age.

 Initiation of breastfeeding: Babies can be breast-fed as soon as the airway is cleared and
they are breathing normally.

DAILY ROUTINE CARE OF NEONATES

The majority of complication of the normal newborn may occur during first 24 hours or within 7
days. So close observation & daily essential routine care is important for health & survival of the
newborn baby.Establish & maintain homeostasis Stability of normal physiological status.

 The daily routine care of the neonates are as follows:

Warmth,Breastfeeding,Skin care & baby bath,Care of umbilical cord ,Care of the eyes, Clothing of
the baby
 Generalcare
Observation,Taking anthropometric measurement,Immunization,Follow up & advice

 WARMTH
Warmth is provided by keeping the baby dry & wrapping the baby with adequate clothing in two
layers, ensuring head & extremities are well covered. Baby should kept by the side of the Mother.
 BREAST FEEDING
Breastfeeding The baby should be put to the mother’s breast within half an hour of birth or as soon
as possible the mother has recovered from the exertion of labour.
 Skin care & baby bath:
The skin should be cleaned off blood, mucus & meconium by gentle wiping before he/she is
presented to the mother. Baby bath can be given at the hospital or home by using warm water in a
warm room gently & quickly. First Bath: Once a babys temperature has stabilized, the First bath
can be given.
 CORD BLOOD COLLECTION
 Make sure cord blood is collected for analysis and sent to laboratory for checking of: Rh
Blood type, Hematocrit & possible cord blood gases.
 CARE OF THE UMBILICAL CORD
Keep the cord stump clean and dry.Topical application of antiseptics is usually not necessary
unless the baby is living in a highly contaminated area.
 Care of the eyes. : Eyes should be clean at birth & once in every day using sterile cotton
swabs soaked in sterile water or normal saline. Separate swabs for each eye.
 Clothing of the baby: The baby should be dressed with loose, soft & cotton cloths. The
frock should be open on the front or back for easy wearing. Large button, synthetic frock
and plastic or nylon napkin should be avoided.
 General care:
Rooming –in gentle approach Aseptic techniquesensory stimulation tender& loving care.

 Observation: The baby should be kept in continuous observation twice daily for detection of
any abnormalities.

 Anthropometric measurement:Measure weightlengthHead circumferenceChest

circumference

 WEIGHT:
The average daily wt gain for healthy term babies is about 30gm/day in the first month of life It
is about 20gm/day in second month10gm per day afterwards during the first year of life
 .LENGTH:
(from top of head to the heel with the leg fully extended)Average range: 18-22 inches (46-56
cm)
 Head circumference:
Head circumference (repeat after molding and caput succedaneum are resolved). Average range:
33 to 35 cm (13-14 inches) Normally, 2 cm larger than chest circumference Place tape measure
above eyebrows and stretch around fullest part of occipital at posterior fontanel.
 Chest circumference (at the nipple line):
Average range: 30-33 cm (12-13 inches) Normally, 2 cm smaller than head circumference Stretch
tape measure around scapulae and over nipple line.
 Immunization:
Newborn should be immunized with BCG vaccine & ‘0’ dose of ‘OPV’. Hepatitis ‘B’ vaccine can
be administered at birth as first dose & other two doses in one month & 6 months of age.
 Follow up & Advice:
Each infant should be followed up, at least once every month for first 3 months & subsequently 3
month interval till one year of age.
 HARMFUL TRADITIONAL PRACTICES FOR THE CARE OF NEONATES
use of unclean substance such as cow dung, mud on umbilical card, immediate
bathing,use of prelacteal feeds,application of kajal in the newborn eyes, instillation of
oil drops into ears & nostrils,
during bathing the baby use of unhygienic herbal water, use of pacifiers, introduction of
artificial feeding with diluted milk, giving opium & brandy to neonates use of readymade
expensive formula foods.

 Nursing Diagnosis:
• Ineffective airway clearance related to nasal and oral secretions from delivery.
• Ineffective thermoregulation related to environment and immature ability for adaptation.
• Risk for injury related to immature defenses of the newborn.
• Risk for infection related to immature immune system

Bibliography
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